Lilli Ann Rosenberg Engaged People in Making and Enjoying Public Art

Lilli Ann Killen Rosenberg (1924‒2011) initiated memorably collaborative community art projects wherever she went throughout her working life. From the Henry Street Settlement in New York City to numerous sites in the Boston area and then others in southern Oregon, she engaged children and adults in creating responsive public art. This post offers images from Boston sites I have visited and quotes or links that motivate me to visit many more.   

“City Carpet/Hopscotch”

Viewing and hoping on “Hopscotch”

“City Carpet/Hopscotch” on School Street near Old City Hall

“Shaped like a hopscotch grid, this mosaic marks the original site of the Boston Latin School, the first public school in the US.” ( quote from description in Public Art Walk Boston)

Highlighted as an “unassuming treasure” in a critical review of Boston’s public art by Sebastian Smee in 2013, this mosaic combines commemorative information with playful visuals within a structure that invites physical participation.

“Shaped like a hopscotch grid, this mosaic marks the original site of the Boston Latin School, the first public school in the US.

The school educated many influential politicians and writers, including Benjamin Franklin and Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Although girls are depicted in the images of children at play, no girls were admitted to the school until the mid-19th century;

the school became officially co-educational in 1972. “

“In her self-profile, Mrs. Rosenberg said her goals in life were “to enhance the quality of my own expressions in the medium and to work with architects and planners in the development of more opportunities for artists like myself who wish to create art with and for people – improving the quality of life for all of us. Each new project is an exciting adventure.’’” (quote from her Boston Globe obituary, August 2011)

Mosaics in Tadpole Playground, Boston Common

With her husband Marvin, Lilli Ann Rosenberg created these mosaics installed in 2003.  I photographed and wrote about the mosaics within the context of collaboration among artists and community for a post from 2014.

Lilli Ann Killen Rosenberg mosaic “Located next to the Frog Pond, Tadpole Playground features a vibrant mosaic that appeals to children and adults alike.

The mosaic technique dates back thousands of years, to when artists first began to arrange pebbles and small stones into patterns.

As the technique became more refined, artists experimented with various materials—most frequently ceramic and glass—in order to achieve certain effects.

Created with glazed ceramic pieces, this contemporary work recalls the natural themes prevalent in many Islamic mosaics,

but it features a more open, less geometric design.”

“Her art was accessible to everyone. Children loved its simplicity and whimsey, while adults appreciated its beauty, balance and detail.” ( quote from artist Jeremy Criswell in her Oregon obituary, Mail Tribune, July 2011)

Betances Mural in Villa Victoria

“This mural was created with the support of the Villa Victoria tenants’ association, Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción, to decorate the Villa’s central gathering place.

Local artists Lili Ann Killen Rosenberg, Nora Valdez, and Roberto Chao were assisted by Villa Victoria residents, children as well as adults, who made the ceramic tile pieces.

The mural features Ramón Betances, known as the ‘father’ of Puerto Rican nationalism for his revolt against Spanish rule.

It also includes images of Puerto Rican history and culture and of the Villa Victoria community. “

“Her technique, according to her website, was “to embed a variety of materials in concrete using color and texture, sometimes carving it into the concrete or casting with it.’’ ” (quote from  Boston Globe obituary, August 2011)

“She wanted to reach all types of people. She worked right up till her death, talking about a sculpture she planned on the day before she passed away.”  (quote from a daughter Claire Van der Zwan in the Oregon obituary, Mail Tribune, July 2011)

Resources about Lilli Ann Killen Rosenberg

Lilli Ann Rosenberg, 86; muralist, sculptor adorned public spaces: Obituary August 12, 2011, by Gloria Negri in Boston Globe

Mural artist Lilli Ann Rosenberg leaves a lasting legacy: Obituary July 23, 2011, by John Darling in Mail Tribune

Moving beyond the Bronze Age, by Sebastion Smee for Boston Globe, 2013

Playground Enriched by Collaborative Art, post on Art Outdoors January 2014

Public Art Walk: Betances Mural  (excerpts quoted in photo captions) 

Public Art Walk Boston: City Carpet/ Hopscotch ( excerpts quoted in photo captions) 

Public Art Walk Boston: Mosaics in Tadpole Playground ( excerpts quoted in photo captions) 

PLUS this link to an enlightening WordPress blog Subterranean Art: 

“Celebration of the Underground” at Park Street

“.. the 12-ton, 110-foot-long cement mosaic in the Park Street subway station

she made in 1978, depicting the history of the Boston subway system…”

Tags: Betances Mural, Boston Common, Boston Latin School, City Carpet, Hopscotch, Lilli Ann Killen Rosenberg, Marvin Rosenberg, Park Street subway mural, Tadpole Playground mosaic, Villa Victoria